Block-molding machine



Nov. 20, 1928.

F. J. STRAUB BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

FRAN CIS J. STRAUB, OF NEW KEN SIN GTON PENNSYLVANIA.

BLOCK-MOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed November 16, 1926. Serial No. 148,674.

This invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of buildingmaterial, as blocks, bricks, etc., made from concrete aggregate.

6 It has for its object to produce a block having a finished ortrowelled face, by means of vibrating or reciprocating movement of oneof the molding surfaces, during manufacture in the usual molding andpressing machine.

Thisinvention consists in certain features of improvement in such amachine, constructed and adapted to operate, as hereinafter more fullydescribed.

In the drawings, showing one preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a part plan part horizontal section, on the line I, I, of Fig.2, showing the machine;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line II, II, of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial view, like Fig. 1, showing a modified construction,in a single block machine;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section on the line IVIV, of Fig. 2; i Y

Figs. 5 and 6 are views in side elevation and cross sectionrespectively, showing a modified form of molding wall.

The mold 2 of the machine is mounted on frame 3 and is provided with theusual core bridge 4, cores 5 and pressing plate 6 of standardconstruction, except as to the modification .in the mold, hereinafterdescribed.

Bottom plates 7 move upwardly and downwardly around the stationary cores5 by means of links 8 and cranks 9 of hollow actuating shaft 10, thebottom plates having the 1 usual supporting pedestals 11. The presserplates 6 are actuated by inner shaft 12, cranks 13, and connections 14and 15 supporting the vertically movable and laterally swinging crosshead 16 for the plates as is generally understood.

Bottom plates 7 are connected at each side of the middle reciprocatingwall or plate. 17

V by depending stirrups or yokes 18 which conmeet the inner edges of thebottom plates together so that they move up and down as one unit.

In general construction and operation, the machine is of usual standardconstruction, except that the partition plate 17 is movable instead ofstationary, as in the usual double 5 5 block machine.

pressing and ejecting operations.

In my improved machine I mount the partition plate 17 so that it may bealternately moved back and forth during the molding, For such purposethe plate is mounted in guiding housings formed by end extensions 19 ofthe mold casing, and a shaft 20 extends centrally through the plate,having a guidesleeve 21 at one end. and an actuating terminal stem 22 atthe other.

Said terminal is retracted by 'a spring 23 and is alternately pushedinwardly by a plunger 2% under the impelling action of a cam oreccentric 25. Said element, with suit able ball bearings and properlubrication, is 7 mounted for rotation on shaft 26, extending from gearbox 27 to hearing 28 for the outer end of the shaft and for plunger 24.

A motor 29 transmits movement through its shaft and worm or othersuitable gearing in gear box 27 at the desired speed to operate shaft 26and the eccentric. Such movement effects rapid alternating orreciprocatory motion to plate 17 during operation of the motor. Theresulting etfect is to impart to the face of the block a trowelling orsmoothing action by the vibration of the plate, tending to effectgreater density of the aggregate by collecting the particles andeffecting flow of the liquid in the same manner as is generallypracticed in trowelling mortar.

The desired effect is accomplished by continuing the reciprocation ofthe partition plate during upward ejection of the blocksf so that uponarriving at the raised position they may be carried away on the usualpallets 30 for drying and storage.

In 3 I show a modified construction in which the casing 2 of the machineis designed for a single block manufacture, with the re ciprocating wall17 substituted in place of the usual stationary side Wall of the mold.In such case the operation of the machine as to its various parts in thesame, together with reciprocation of the movable side wall pro- 10oducing the same densification of the block at such side.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a modified construction of the movable plate orpartition 17 providing for application of an impregnating fluid to theadjacent face of a block or blocks. y

In such case the plate 17 is provided with a self-contained reservoir 31having a covering top 32 and a supply conduit 33, and disl tributmgports 34. Durmg reciprocation of 11 y the plate the liquid is applied tothe face ofv the block in formation, as more fully described in acompanion application filed November 16, 1926, Serial Number 148,677.

The construction and operation of the invention will be readilyunderstood and appreciated from the foregoing description by all thosefamiliar with this class of mechanism. Upon lowering of the usualbottom' plates 7 the pallets 30 are placed thereon after which the moldcavities are filled with aggregate preferably through a superimposedhopper, not shown.

During such filling operation the pressing plate 6 is thrown outwardlybeyond the machine by its connectin arms 15, as in Fig. 1,

and the cavity is led with aggregate.

Thereupon the material may be tamped and then finally pressed bylowering the pressing plate, and the bottom plates 7 are then raised,

removing the finished block.

The partition plate 17 during such operation is actively reciprocated,so that the contacting faces of the blocks receive the desired smoothingand condensing treatment.

Due to the varying friction against plate 17, it is desirable to avoid apositive driving ing portions of the. block are of the usual roughporous consistency.

The advantages of the invention will be readily understood andappreciated by all those accustomed to the use of similar machinery,andgreatly improves the making of concretblocks, either of the usualaggregate or any special mixture, as a cinders and ashes aggregate, likethat of my prior Patent No. 1,212,840.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the exactconstruction shown, and may be changed or varied by the skilledmechanic, within the principle of operation disclosed.

.Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A block molding machine provided with a vertically arranged moldingcasing, a vertically movable bottom plate, a presser plate, areciprocable side plate forming one confining Wall of the casing andprovided with a spring retracted stem, and an actuating eccentrictherefor. 7

2. A block molding machine of the class described provided with a casinghaving a plate housing at one side thereof, and a reciprocable plateforming a side wall in said housing.

8. i. block molding machine of the class described provided. withacasing having a plate housing at one side thereof, a reciprocable plate'forming a side wall in said housing, and means for actuating said plate.

4. In a block molding machine, the combination with the casing, of areciprocable 'side wall having a reservoir and ports leading therefromthrough one side.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

. FRANois'J. STRAUB.

